The public is invited inside the Krupowicz Planetarium at Gaudet Middle School next week for a community night billed as a rare chance to experience the historic facility before it is taken down.
The Gaudet Parent Teacher Group will host the event on Tuesday, May 12, at 1113 Aquidneck Ave. Two shows are scheduled: 5 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person and must be purchased in advance through Zeffy.
The 9.1-meter dome opened in 1969 and seats 60. According to organizers, the planetarium has served generations of Aquidneck Island students through immersive space education and STEM programming, and it remains one of the only such facilities in the state.
The building’s days, however, are numbered. As Middletown moves forward with its new school construction, the planetarium will eventually be demolished, organizers said in a release announcing the event.
The evening will be guided by George Shaffer, described by organizers as one of the last remaining teachers trained to operate the planetarium.
“This is more than just a building — it’s a place where curiosity, imagination, and science came together for decades,” organizers said in a statement. “We want to give the community a chance to step inside, look up, and experience the magic one more time.”
Guests can expect immersive presentations on the night sky and celestial wonders, along with information about the planetarium’s longstanding role as a STEM resource for local students.
The event is open to community members of all ages.
Tickets and additional information are available at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/night-at-the-planetarium.
